London Tract development plans sent back to the Zoning Board

PETER GUINTAStaff Writer

Published Monday, January 10, 2005

click photo to enlarge

Several residents of the neighborhood Sea Colony, seen background, are opposed to certain development measures concerning the London Tract, seen foreground, some 18 acres of land off A1A Beach Boulevard. (taken January 9, 2005) Photo by MADELYN TROYANEK, madelyn.troyanek@staugustinerecord.com

By MADELYN TROYANEK, Staff ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH -- The last large piece of pristine oceanfront property in St. Johns County soon will be developed into high-end housing.

The owners of the London Tract, 18.18 acres of scrub, wetlands and sand off A1A Beach Boulevard, want to build 72 townhouses on the site, some facing the ocean and costing as much as $1.5 million each.

Ed Gard, one of a half-dozen partners in the St. Augustine Development Association, said the project would have a residential feel to it.

Some residents say that one of Gard's proposals, which calls for putting a commercial building on the property, is an attempt to pressure the city to approve his other option, which calls for more townhouses along the beach.

Last week he outlined two possible development plans to the City Commission.

The first plan calls for construction of 72 townhouse units, clubhouse, pool and a 1,600-foot public boardwalk from A1A Beach Boulevard to the beach. In addition, 1.6 acres along A1A would be donated to the city for green space.

The second option seeks 66 townhouses, but plans a 30,000 square-foot commercial space along A1A. Gard said this would probably be a chain motel or hotel.

click photo to enlarge

THE 18-ACRE, WOODED London Tract, the last undeveloped oceanfront property in St. Johns County, sits between A1A Beach Boulevard and the ocean. Sea Colony is to the south and Bermuda Run is to the north. Residents of both oppose a developer who wants to build 72 townhouses on the property with a 1,600-foot boardwalk from the road to the beach. Contributed photo from the City of St. Augustine Beach

Contributed photo by the City of St. Augustine Beach

"We're in conversations with two or three different companies," he said.

The two plans offer trade-offs. The first would put more townhouses on the beach, offer green space on A1A Beach Boulevard and have a boardwalk for public access to the beach.

The second plan would have fewer townhouses along the beach front and won't have greenspace along A1A Beach. Instead, it would have a commercial building there. This plan also calls for construction of a boardwalk for the exclusive use of hotel patrons, with no public access.

Last week, Mayor Frank Charles moved at the City Commission meeting to send the project's site plans back to the Zoning Board, saying he wanted to ensure the city was legally able to accept a possible donation of the 1.6-acre green space and a beach access corridor for a boardwalk.

"They're going to dig out the plat books to see if there's any restrictions on the property," Charles said. "We have to find out exactly what's allowed."

St. Augustine Development purchased the property for $10 million in April from the London family of Miami.

They have not released a project name yet.

Charles had questioned an entry on a property survey that appeared to show a 66-foot-wide beach access easement. Gard said there were no easements and that all deed and survey questions have been resolved.

"We hoped the city would make a decision on what they would allow," Gard said.

He previously requested a zoning change from low to medium density, so he could build townhouses. Medium density is required to build townhouses.

In November, the commission turned that down in a 4-1 vote, with then-Commissioner Al Holmberg dissenting. Gard tried again Jan. 3, only to be sent back to the zoning panel.

"When I walked out of that meeting, I thought, 'What just happened?' We sure haven't gotten a vote. It's a tough decision, but that's the duty you're charged with when you get elected," he said.

He's scheduled to go before zoning again on Jan. 18, then return to the City Commission on Feb. 7.

"We could build a condo-hotel there now and sell one bedroom efficiencies for $250,000 to $300,000 all day long," Gard said. "Behind it, we can also build 66 single-family homes."

Vice Mayor Ed George said the commission had heard conflicting information and wanted all the facts before deciding.

"Developers give you the information they want you to look at," George said. "If they don't get what they want, they threaten you."

He said the city would only collect $2,800 a year in taxes from a hotel on the site.

"That doesn't help the city out much, but it would provide jobs," he said.

Gard's attorney, Larry Griggs of St. Augustine, said that facts are not a threat.

"But these folks are not commercial developers though they can conceivably sell the property to someone who is. We feel we've done everything and don't feel we're getting a clear indication of what's going on."